Five Things About Maui

As with any vacation, one finds places or things that they love and how could you not find something to love in paradise?

Shaved ice (don't call it a snow cone!) from the Local Boys.  I tried one of their signature combo called The Big Daddy and then one of my own creation- lime, watermelon and strawberry.  Yummm!  Make sure you asks for the roselani ice cream.

OK, who could pass up a sunset in? This was from our hotel window. 

OK, these Egrets were everywhere!  I know I've seen them before but I seriously fell in love with them here.  It's so funny how they "walk" by thrusting their head.

The bamboo forest heading up to Waimoku Falls.  To hear the chiming sounds of the breeze blowing the bamboo was quite remarkable.  The hike up to the falls is only 2 miles. I recommend getting there early because, believe it or not, the forest is so thick that by 3:00 pm it is dark under the canopy. 

And last but definitely not least, make it a "must stop" on your list for Maui and try one of the shrimp plates from Geste's food truck. TRUST me, this truck looks totally sketchy and the chefs even more, but, OMG, they make one mean plate of shrimp. Grab plenty of napkins.  And the crab macaroni salad is absolutely fabulous.  My boyfriend and I stopped here after we landed in Maui (about 10:00 am) and ordered the spicy pineapple and spicy plates.  As we sat in the car admiring the sight before us and the delightful smell, I dug in and said, "Well, if we get sick, at least this was worth it."  We made it a point to head over again during our trip.  (for the second meal, we tried the lemon pepper and bought a cream horn from Stillwell's bakery in Wailuku).   The truck is down the street past Whole Foods.  If you Google it, you'll find the exact directions.   

Whoa! Now, I'm Awake

 
Ok, I've been in Maui now for almost a week.  We've done many of the touristy things- drove the road to Hana (make sure you leave at a decent hour to avoid returning in the dark- totally scary!)... snorkeling... sightseeing in Lahaina (declared a historic city- not just a house or a building but the whole city!)... tonight we're heading to a luau.  But in all of my wonderings I have yet to see anyone here wear a hawaiian shirt except for the tourists or someone who works in retail or at a hotel.  How can I tell the tourists?  Well, like me, they are walking around with a map, a camera and a sunburn.  So what I want to know is how on earth did the trend of wearing hawaiian shirts come about.  And for that matter stay?! I know back in the 50's they may have been all the rage but I think the beehive hairdo was also popular, AT THAT TIME.  For the guys wearing them.....  trust me they are not attractive.  I have yet to see one that is even remotely decent looking.  I've been to many of the tourist shopping places and there are tons of the things around. But it does not seem that one native wears them.  Maybe I've been to the wrong places.  Why do men back on the mainland think these are so attractive??  They can't use the excuse, "well the Hawaiians wear them."  Because they don't.  So men, PLEASE, the reason your wife, girlfriend is walking behind is not just to window shop, it's because she really doesn't want to be seen with you in public while you're wearing a tacky Hawaiian shirt.  So the next time you're at Costco, just walk quickly past the Hawaiian shirts and go for the bulk pack of polo shirts.  They'll look better and will go with everything.

(photos courtesy of Paradise Clothing Company and The Hana Shirt Company)

Which one is better?

While searching for songs last night, I decided to put one song on hold because I couldn't decide which version to put up.  Which do you like?

I remember watching this episode... OR OR

A Hui Hou (till we meet again)

This Saturday I'm traveling to Maui for the very first time.  I've lived in California and feel that I'm the only Californian that has not gone.  I even had past students (4 year olds) tell me its their favorite place!  So I'm pretty excited.  So this Saturday I'll join the hundreds of others who have flown west over the ocean to a small group of 8 islands to see what all the hoopla is all about.  Aloha!  

Capturing the last few weeks

Well, since vacation started, it's been a whirlwind of projects.  First I helped my family clean the garage which required a rental dumpster.  Now we have a beautiful organized garage that my sister would be proud of.  Then I headed over to Cape Cod and proceeded to paint the kitchen, rearrange furniture throughout the house, redecorate and paint and reupholster the dining room furniture.  Our house on the Cape has been stuck in the 80's as many house over here seem to be, since they are only summer homes.  But change can be a good thing :)

Pre 4th of July

Hitchcock chairs in our kitchen.  LOVE this furniture!

What can you do with Pottery Barn Madras fabric?  

 The dining room furniture was a yellowish color and a fresh coat of high-gloss white updated the look.

Out and about on the Cape

Happy Belated 4th of July!